Columbus, Ohio, USA

"Seventh Son Brewing, Columbus by Fort. Exceptional craft beers brewed and tapped in a converted auto garage. Located in the historic Italian Village at the corner of 4th and 4th, this is an awesome way to spend a summer evening—or an evening any time of the year. With two great patios, the beautiful and vibrant surroundings have a constant flow of top-notch local food trucks that pair great with Seventh Son’s beers."

"Fox in the Snow, Columbus by Fort. Fox in the Snow serves coffee and scratch-made baked goods in the heart of the Italian Village. Known for it’s artisanal baked goods, fantastic coffee and fresh breakfast sandwiches, Fox in the Snow is a great new spot for a relaxed brunch date or mid-day work session. Be sure to sample the cinnamon rolls the size of your face!"

"Wolf's Ridge Brewing & Tap Room, Columbus by Fort. A Downtown craft brewery and restaurant hotspot. This family owned and operated eatery offers a seasonal new American menu that naturally pairs perfectly with their extensive tap list. Its large but casually beautiful space is farmhouse-meets-warehouse, and you’re sure to find a seat at one of their huge communal tables made from old growth hickory. Focused on traditional German and Belgian ales, the adjacent tap room sports an impressive bar with a large list of WRB brews, many of which aren’t available in the restaurant. The Clear Sky—their American Cream Ale—is one you’ll want to drink all night."

"St. James Tavern, Columbus by Fort. An unassuming neighborhood dive bar with no crap on tap. Located a block from Seventh Son Brewing in the Italian Village, this is a great place to end up at the end of the night. With one of the best jukeboxes in the city, pool tables, and inexpensive drafts, this dark little bar is a good place to be with some friends."

"Strongwater, Columbus by Fort. Unique grub and tasty drinks in historic Franklinton. With original sawtooth windows and a full bar, this space will encourage large groups to come together. After schmoozing with friends, indulge in the caramelized shallot and bacon dip with the dry-rubbed ribs. You’ll probably need a PBR (or five) to get it all down."

"HOMAGE, Columbus by Fort. So cool they wouldn’t let us shoot it. HOMAGE, known for it’s vintage-inspired sports memorabilia, is a Columbus favorite. The shirts are soft, the designs are retro and cool, and the environment is awesome. While hunting for your favorite teams, feel free to play some NBA JAM or enjoy a complimentary bottle of Coca-Cola."

"Ray Ray's Hog Pit, Columbus by Fort. Move over, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Austin… this pork shack will make you forget everything you’ve ever known about BBQ. Along with mouth-watering pulled pork, jerk chicken, and beef brisket (look for a special grassfed brisket on Sundays), scratch mac-n-cheese and pit baked beans, the true star of the show is their spare ribs—so good they’ll make you want to slap your mama. Their authentic, purist style smoked meats are served every weekend, rain or shine, from their food truck… conveniently located next to a great little bar, so grab a beer while you’re at it."

"Buckeye Donuts, Columbus by Fort. A classic old school donut spot open every hour of every day. From cake and glazed to sprinkled and cream-filled to long johns and fritters—this is a hand-cut, old-fashioned, no-frills donut institution. Walk into the South High location, and you’ll immediately feel the nostalgia of being a cop in the 1970s."

"Land-Grant Brewing Company, Columbus by Fort. A new brewery serving good beers and good design. Located in a 12,000-square-foot renovated factory, Land-Grant Brewing Company was born from a passion for "painstakingly-crafted beer, powerful design, and a midwestern sports devotion." Land-Grant makes it their mission to serve only their freshest possible beers, tasting flights and spirits alongside a constantly revolving selection of Columbus’s favorite food trucks."

"Mouton, Columbus by Fort. A clean and easygoing establishment serving up handcrafted cocktails. Floor to ceiling windows and community tables make this a sunny, lively spot for happy hour. Expert bartenders will whip up your favorite drinks that will leave you wanting more than just one."

"Elm & Iron, Columbus by Fort. The go-to shop for unique, hand-picked home decor. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or a small trinket, Elm & Iron has curated a collection of rustic and industrial items that are both old and new. With a sizable selection and reasonable price points, you’re bound to find something you’ll want to call your own."

"Schiller Park, Columbus by Fort. A beautiful little park surrounded by charming homes in the heart of German Village. Take some time to wander through this historic park, or grab a sandwich at one of the many nearby delis for a picnic. Definitely worth a visit."

"Rowe Boutique, Columbus by Fort. A hip Short North boutique with super stylish clothing and accessories. This store will put a smile on your face as you peruse their (primarily women’s) collections of the most current fashions, from bags and boots to outerwear and jewelry. The stylists are as helpful as they are cheerful, and this is one shop you surely can’t miss."

"Drexel Theatre, Columbus by Fort. A 1930s Art Deco theater specializing in independent films. Experience where film meets art and culture at the Drexel, located in the quaint Bexley neighborhood. Recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places, this theater will take you back to a time when theaters themselves were a work of art. Catch an independent film, stay for a marathon, or see a Hollywood flick."

"Thread, Columbus by Fort. A sensible boutique that stocks trendy designers and unique gifts. This locally-owned shop in the Grandview neighborhood is filled with boho-chic clothes, accessories, and shoes aimed to be accessible to any lady looking for a nice piece to add to her closet. Check out the men's goods too!"

"Kittie's Cakes, Columbus by Fort. Mini cupcakes with major flavor. This well-designed German Village cupcake shop prides themselves on their unique flavors and quality ingredients. Try the Candy Bar Cupcake with a pretzel crust and salted caramel ganache center (need we say more?) or the Angry Buckeye (a nod to our fine state of Ohio) with chocolate cake and spicy peanut butter center."

"The Butcher Shop Fitness, Columbus by Fort. We’re spinning! Home of the toughest workout in Columbus. Get your sweat on with cycling classes, pilates or yoga. Never a dull moment, it’s a great opportunity to change your routine and mix in something new."

"Grand View Mercantile Company, Columbus by Fort. A marketplace for antiques and upscale consignments. Maybe you have a strange interest in rare oddities—this place is for you. Grand View Mercantile caters to those who have a particular taste and are on the hunt for the perfect item. Get lost looking through their inventory—from 1920s gems to giant antler chandeliers to mid-century treasures."

"The Rossi, Columbus by Fort. A charming, dimly-lit bistro in the Short North that fills up quickly with their great happy hour. Quality food and cocktails will most definitely have you returning—their flavorful Rossi Burger and fries with lemon-basil aioli is an absolute must."

"One Line Coffee, Columbus by Fort. A locally-owned and operated coffee bar and roaster located in the Short North. Home to our favorite coffee in the city, One Line provides more than just a hot (or cold) beverage. The staff is made up of friendly-but-serious (and nationally-ranked) baristas that walk you through every step of the drink-making process to make sure you are thoroughly satisfied (and caffeinated). Without them, we here at FORT would have a hard time making through the post-lunch crash and we’re proud to call them our friends."

"Hot Chicken Takeover, Columbus by Fort. Fried chicken and soul food with a midwestern heart. Known for their Nashville-style fried chicken (which comes in a variety of spice levels), coleslaw and creamy mac 'n cheese, Hot Chicken Takeover is a favorite amongst locals. Their new, second-floor location in the North Market may be a step up from the tiny walk up window they started with, but prepare yourself for long lines. Trust us—the wait is worth every bite."

"Oddfellows Liquor Bar, Columbus by Fort. A destination dive in the heart of the Short North. Oddfellows Liquor Bar is the best "shitty place" to drink you've ever been to. Their exciting cocktails, eclectic decor, and their brand new beer garden make for one of the coolest places to hang out all year round. On the patio, the Mikey’s Late Night Slice food truck will satisfy all of your "drunk food" cravings."

"Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus by Fort. A kick-ass multidisciplinary contemporary arts center at The Ohio State University. The internationally known center offers exhibitions, performances, films, artist residencies, and educational programs. The building itself, a landmark of postmodern architecture, houses galleries, performance spaces, a film video theater, a cool bookstore and a little cafe. Try to hit up a “Wex Drive-In,” their series of free, outdoor film screenings."

"Zer0z, Columbus by Fort. The coolest, most compact wallets around. Founded locally, this hip store peddles simple, sleek, and super thin wallets in a variety of colors, leathers, and finishes. So for those of you with that big ol’ Costanza wallet in your back pocket, this is the store for you."

"Third & Hollywood, Columbus by Fort. An upscale open kitchen concept where healthy meets delicious. This American bistro uses only the finest local ingredients when crafting their sandwiches, salads, burgers, and entrees. Featuring soaring wood beamed ceilings, the restaurant’s dark wood, stone, and brick creates a private, romantic feeling. And if live jazz is your thing, check out the Sunday brunch—and don’t forget to gobble up as many Cheddar Herb Biscuits that you can!"

"The Sycamore, Columbus by Fort. A neighborhood tavern offering upscale food in a casual atmosphere. Nestled in the heart of historic German Village, this narrow, brick-walled gastropub features chef-driven bar favorites made with locally sourced and organic ingredients. Coupled with a robust cocktail and craft beer program and excellent wine list, they’ve got a happy hour that can’t be beat. Don’t miss the Ahi Tuna Poke or the “poutine-style” Braised Ohio Beef Cheeks!"

"The Book Loft of German Village, Columbus by Fort. A pre-Civil War era saloon and general store turned into a maze of books in beautiful German Village. One of the nation's largest independent book stores, The Book Loft of German Village, is a 32-room bargain book store located south of Downtown. Getting lost inside for hours is easy… Luckily, the friendly staff can help you find the titles you are looking for."

"The Pearl, Columbus by Fort. Because everybody needs an oyster sometimes… You’ll wish your dining room looked like this rustic space, lined with subway tile and dark wood accents. Grab some oysters with a side of their famous Jalapeño Corn Spoon Bread and enjoy—you will not be disappointed!"

"Goodale Park, Columbus by Fort. A sprawling park in the center of Victorian Village. Goodale is the oldest in Columbus, providing great scenery and green spaces to play or relax in. This park, surrounded by a cluster of homes with lovely and historical architectural features, also hosts several outdoor movie nights, festivals, and free concerts."